With the departure of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave via free agency, expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to select his replacement in the second-to-mid rounds.
Here are the top DTs projected to be available:
Raekwon Davis | Alabama
Height: 6-6 Weight: 316
As a reserve in his freshman year, Davis contributed four tackles and one sack. He became a playmaker as a sophomore by posting 69 tackles, 10 for loss, and a team-high 8.5 sacks in 14 games (six starts), which earned him first-team All-SEC honors. During Alabama’s title run that year, Davis had 10 tackles, two sacks, and an INT in the team’s two playoff wins. His production dropped off his junior and senior seasons.
Davis compiled 67 solo tackles, 108 assists, 19.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, one INT, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his career at Alabama.
Davis is a versatile run defender who can play DT or NT versus the run. With excellent strength and power, he is tough to move off the ball. He completely controls his run lane in either 1-gap or 2-gap situations. The more Davis played his last two seasons, his effectiveness as a pass-rusher diminished; he was better when he was fresh and played fewer reps.
Jordan Elliott | Missouri
Height: 6-4 Weight: 302
Elliott played in six games as a reserve at the University of Texas before he transferred to Mizzou. As a redshirt sophomore, he recorded 24 tackles (eight for loss) and three sacks in 13 games. Elliott’s junior campaign was more to his liking. In 12 starts, he led the Tigers with 10 TFL in 44 total tackles on his way to second-team Associated Press All-American honors.
At Missouri, Elliot recorded 48 solo tackles, 20 assists, 16.5 TFL, 5.5 sacks, four passes defensed, and a fumble.
Elliott is unusual in that he played in excess of 325 lbs. for most of his collegiate career before he slimmed down to 302 for the NFL Combine. Although it has helped his quickness, he isn’t as stout at the point of attack. Elliott’s diversity in schemes could help him earn starter status in his second season, if not his first.
Leki Fotu | Utah
Height: 6-5 Weight: 330
Fotu saw action in five games as a reserve true freshman and made one tackle. He started two of 13 games in 2017 and contributed 22 tackles, 3.5 for loss. As a junior, everything finally came together. With 33 tackles, 5.5 for loss, and three sacks in 14 games, he earned first-team All-Pac-12 honors. In his senior campaign, Fotu repeated that first-team designation and also earned third-team Associated Press All-American recognition.
At Utah, Fotu’s solo tackles matched his assists at 41, 17 of which were for a loss. He had three passes defensed and three forced fumbles.
When faced with true 1-on-1 blocking or classic double-teams, Fotu dominates but is raw from an instinct perspective.
DaVon Hamilton | Ohio State
Height: 6-4 Weight: 320
Due to the depth of talent above him at Ohio State, Hamilton remained a valued reserve until his senior season. Once he finally got a chance to start, he became a powerful pass-rusher, recording 28 tackles, 10.5 for loss, and six sacks in 14 starts. He proved to be a rugged, strong, tough run defender who can play NT in any scheme.
Hamilton closed out his Buckeyes career with 66 tackles, 20 for loss, three fumble recoveries, and one for a touchdown.
Benito Jones | Mississippi
Height: 6-1 Weight: 316
Jones started four of 12 games as a true freshman. He posted 39 tackles (4.5 for loss) on his way to Mississippi Class 5A Defensive Player of the Year. As the seasons progressed, so did his performance. He took his game to another level during his junior season when he set career-highs with 34 tackles, nine for loss, and three sacks.
Stats for his career as with the Rebels were 132 tackles, 31 for loss, 10.5 sacks and an INT, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
Jones possesses average power at the point of attack but can be disruptive when he’s actively attacking the gaps. He has good instincts and first-step quickness but lacks athleticism and overall size.
Rashard Lawrence | Louisiana State
Height: 6-2 Weight: 308
Lawrence was a four-year contributor on one of the best teams in the SEC, and he offers more pass-rush ability than a typical interior lineman.
He started all 13 games as a junior, but missed time as a sophomore and senior due to ankle injuries. During the Tigers’ national championship game, he posted 28 tackles, six for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.
Lawrence capped off his LSU career with 120 tackles, 20.5 for loss, nine sacks, seven pass breakups, and a forced fumble for a recovery.
He is a tough, physical, strong, powerful, and instinctive multiple-position, run-stopping lineman.
Robert Windsor| Penn State
Height: 6-4 Weight: 290
Windsor was a key backup for the Nittany Lions in his first two seasons. It wasn’t until his junior year, in 2018, that he broke into the starting lineup. He made a big splash in his first season as a starter with 21 solo tackles (10 TFL) and 6.5 sacks, but his production fell off his senior season.
He finished his Nittany Lion career with 50 solo tackles, 70 assists, 19 TFL, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.
Windsor is a strong, physical, high-motor NT but has limited balance and lacks overall athletic ability.
